CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1959/06/15

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03163340
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U
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17
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February 25, 2020
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February 27, 2020
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June 15, 1959
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If' I"J'dApproved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340 TOPSECRET , 3.5(c) 3.3(h)(2) 15 June 1959 Copy No, C CENTRAL 62 INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN' DOCUMENT NO. NO CHANGE IN CL AS:; ; DECLASfiFIED NEXT REVIEW DATE: CI ASS. CHANGED TO:IS AUTH DAT REVIEWS TOP SECRET ,,,,ZiApproved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340W/ Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340 110 MIP' � Nrear mr Ark aft r� ran rs r9r, Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340 TOP SECRET t��� 15 JUNE 1959 I. THE COMMUNIST BLOC Tibet�Peiping avoiding publicity for Dalai Lama in its effort to build up Panchen Lanka. IL ASIA-AFRICA UAR deploys and alerts some military units, probably as precautionary meas- ures. Iraqi Communists begin new public dis- pute with Qasim. Armed clashes break out in southern Yemer rl Imam still not fit to return to rule. Guinea--President Toting preparing propaganda and civil disobedience cam- paign in neighboring Portuguese Guinea. India�Civil disobedience campaign against Communist-governed Kerala State results in widespread disturb- ances; more violence likely. 0 France-Yugoslavia�Immediate French reaction to Joint Y'ugoslav-Algerian rebel statement limited to a protest. French government moves to prevent transport stoppage during rail strike called for 16 June. Guatemala faces new period of political tension. TOP SECRET Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340 1 (J1" JLA.,Itt 1 lowe '%I�60 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN 15 June 1959 DAILY BRIEF L THE COMMUNIST BLOC Communist China - Tibet: News Agency correspondents in sending material on the Dalai Lama Peiping ordered New China Lhasa to stop This instruction, together with Peiping's failure to comment on two recent pub- lic statements by the Dalai Lama, suggests that the Chinese Communists now intend to avoid any publicity for the Dalai Lama which might detract from their effort to build up the Panchen Lama. Any demands for Tibetan "independence" by �the Dalai Lama at his scheduled 20 June press conference could result, however, in Communist propaganda linking him with tie "small group of reactionaries who oppose reform" in Tibet UAR: IL ASIA-AFRICA Ithe UAR has recently deployed and alerted vari- ous elements of its military forces. These measures, if not part of routine exercises, probably are precautionary and would reflect Cairo's apprehension over its dispute with Israel regarding Suez Canal shipping and possibly also Syrian-Jor- danian border tension. Some UAR dispositions may possibly be designed as well to support dissident Iraqi tribal element!) (Page 1) Iraq: The Iraqi Communist Party, which has lately re- ceived some setbacks, has entered into a new dispute with Pr� e *nister Qasim. The party newspaper has objected ,;,57,13-E,�,S,ECRER A/pproved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO31633407 See AApproved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO3163340 TOP SECKL-1- Noe to Qasim's announcement that amnesty will be granted on 16 June, a religious holiday, to Iraqis banished to remote areas of the country, who the, Communists allege are feudal or re- actionary elements. 0,,leanwhile, there are unconfirmed re- ports of a major split within the party's central comittee on the question of how to deal with the Qasim regime unconfirmed that Qasim was moving to thwart a plot by Communists, supported by some military elements, to assas- sinate him. (Page 2) Yemen: Unrest, probably related to the uncertain Yemeni succession problem, has again developed into violence in Yemen. "the situation is very serious" in Talz� Yemen's southern capital, where fighting involving soldiers and civil- ians was in progress. Government forces quelled an earlier army uprising in Sana, the northern capital, on 18 May. (In IlDine, 0 it is improbable that the Imam will ever be able to rule effectively again. Physicians have characterized his treatment for drug ad- diction as "endless and probably hopeless" Crown Prince Badr apparently hopes to keep the Imam in Italy so that he can con- onl'eln+ hc, rAnaifinn thia Tmamts riegiguated successor in Yemen) Guinea: (resident Sekou Tour d of Guinea may be planning the "liberation" of neighboring Portuguese Guinea through a cam- paign of propaganda and civil disobedience. He apparently is organizing a network of sympathizers there among tribesmen t, related to those in the Republic of Guinea. Although Tour d has re porteilyI stated that Guinea would offer armed aid in case of 1.1 an insurrection in the Portuguese territoryQ such a development appears unlikely in the near future) (Page 4) 15 June 59 DAILY BRIEF ii TOP SECRET AApproved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO3163340/ A Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340 6,LCI.CL 1 %.0 ii India: The three-day-old civil disobedience campaign by opposition parties against the Communist government in Kerala State has resulted in widespread disturbances. Five persons have been killed and many injured in several clashes between police and opposition demonstrators. Increased violence is likely as a result of the intensive agitation planned by Catholic and upper-caste Hindu groups against Communist education policies. Communist offers to compromise probably will not be considered by opposition leaders, who hope that a serious breakdown of law and Order may force New Delhi to suspend parliamentary government and invoke direct rule. (Page 5) III. THE WEST � France-Yugoslavia: The quick protest of the French gov- ernment over the hint Yugoslav-Algerian statement of 12 June, proposing French-Algerian negotiations to end the Algerian war, reflects Premier Debre's desire to stress his firm position with- out being obliged to follow through on his threat to break diplo- matic relations with states formally recognizing the rebels' 0 Provisional Algerian Government. While the statement reflected no basic change in the Yugoslav position toward the rebel gov- ernment, Paris nevertheless regarded it as ah "inadmisdibleintru- sion in French affairs." (Page 6) France: Premier Debrd's decision to draft key workers will probably prevent a serious transportation stoppage in the 8-hour strike all French railroad unions have called for 16 June. The Communist-led General Labor Confederation will take full advantage of the government's action, however, to play up the oh first large-scale strike collaboration it has been able to achieve with the non-Communist unions since 1953. The government hopes to delay wage hikes until 1960, but, if labor restiveness becomes more serious itimfeabliged to make some con- cessions earlier. (Page 7) 15 June 59 DAILY BRIEF iii _T-OP-SEeRE-T AApproved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340' A 'Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 CO3/163340 _ TOF ,SECKL.t %le *me Guatemala: A new period of political tension appears in prospect. Maneuvering has begun for the election on 5 July to fill the important office of mayor of the capital, Guatemala City. At the same time, Communists are increasingly active and are planning to instigate student-labor demonstrations on 25 June. There is also a continuing possibility of a coup effort 0` against President Ydigoras by rightists who want to prevent further gains by the Communists and other leftists. (Page 8) 15 June 59 DAILY BRIEF iv TOP SECRET, AApproved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163310 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340 Nur' I. THE COMMUNIST BLOC No Back-up material II. ASIA-AFRICA Deployment and Alert of UAR Military Forces A deployment and alerting of elements of the TJAR's mil- itary forces has occurred recently. all military leave outside of the country was pro- hibited on 8 June, and the most senior personnel in training groups in the Soviet Union have been recalled to Cairo. (Several squadrons of the UARTs MIG-15s and MIG-17s ap- peart_ o have been moved from the Cairo area, possibly to the Sinai peninsula or Syria, and all tanks and three artillery reg- iments have been missing from camps in the Suez Canal zone, although there was no change in infantry strength there. How- ever, 51 tanks have been observed along the Sinai coast of the Gulf of Suez, and earlier reports indicated there was a concen- tration of troops and armor, including tanks, in the Sinai penin- sula. Roughly one half of the UAR Navy, including three Russian- made W-class submarines and two destroyers, were absent from Alexandria harbor as of 11 June) This deployment of planes, tanks and naval ships could be associated with routine maneuvers. However, the UAR's dis- persal of its heavy equipment may also be precautionary measures taken as a result of current tensions involving the UAR with Israel over Suez Canal shipping, and with Jordan be- cause of Cairo's recent closure of Syria's Jordanian border. Some of the activity may also be related to UAR support of dis- sident Iraqi tribal elements along the Syrian-Iraqi border. -TOP-SE�RET 15 June 59 r n Ekrr A I ikiTC1 I 1AIr'C DI II I CTiki 'Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340 Page 1 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340 3.CLAIG Current Position of the Iraqi Communist Party The Iraqi Communist party has entered into a new public dispute with Prime Minister Qasim--this time on the issue of his decision to grant amnesty on the occasion of a 16 June re- ligious feast to a large number of Iraqis who had been "exiled" to various parts of the country. The party newspaper has com- plained that those banished included "feudalists and reaction- aries who had participated in imperialist plots." A UAR mes- sage from Baghdad said about 2,000 people had been released. Quarreling with the government's statement that stability and security prevail in Iraq, the Communist organ said that during the past two weeks there have been a series of violent assaults by "reactionary groups" against trade unions, peas- ant organizations and "other democratic bodies." It added that activities of the Popular Resistance Forces have been curtailed and that officials had been transferred to special units in governmental departments to "watch progressive move- ments." Beginning with Qasim's rejection in May of Communist de- mands for governmentalsandtion of party activities and for ap- pointment to the cabinet of acknowledg9dI Communist party representatives, the Iraqi Communists have suffered a series of setbacks. These have included a governmental proclama- tion emphasizing that judicial procedures even in security mat- ters are the province of the courts, a directive cautioning the press and radio to be prepared to substantiate charges pub- lished against individuals, and moves by the army command to assert tighter control over the Popular Resistance Forces. Leaders of the socialist National Democratic Party (NDP) have shown an increasing willingness to make decisions inde- pendent of the Communists, and Finance Minister Hadid� an NDP stalwart, has been elected chairman of the Communist- front Afro-Asian Solidarity Committee, The Communist-packed Iraqi delegation to promote fraternal relations with other Arab countries had its departure date twice postponed and so far has been circumspect in its public statements in other countries. Most important of all, there are indications of some gradual resurgence of anti-Communist groups throughout Iraq. 15 June 59 (Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340 Page 2 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340 )LCI(L (I:here are, at the same time, persistent reports of a major split within the Central Committee of the Iraqi Communist party itself. One wing allegedly favors continuing of pressure tactics of all types to force the party's incluSion in the government; the other counsels caution and continued ostensible support of the Qasim regime until the hard core of the party has had time to improv the organization and discipline of its mass of recent ad- herents) A street demonstration staged by the Communists in Bagh- dad on 12 June in favor of a "National Union Frolit" of iiolitiaal parties--defying Qasim's, wishes for a suspension of party ac- tivity--came off without incident. However, press reports now indicate clashes have occurred in the 'countryside between Com- munists and NDP members who are vying for leadership of Iraq's peasantry0 unconfirmed report that Qasim has discovered a Communist plot, to assassinate him, which involved army tank corps officers. As a result the ammunition of the tank reg- iments and armored units stationed in Baghdad reportedly was withdrawn and several officers are to be transferred. Cairo newspapers are now printing 3rpports of the alleged plot. 15 June June 59 CAPp.r-ov-e'd fo.r14"-eleas.e75026/02/21..d0-3763340 Page 3 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340 inea May Intervene in Portuguese Territory o_ Guinea President Sekou Tour d plans to "liberate" neighbor- ing rtuguese Guinea by a campaign of propaganda and agitation, Tour's plan, which has apparently been approved by the powerful political bureau of Guinea's single party, envisages the development of a network of sympathizers in Portuguese Guinea, the use of civil disobedience, and finally insurrection. Toure would employ African tribesmen related to those in Guinea�presumably his own Moslem Mandingo tribesmen, who make up about 65,000 of the half-million population of the Portuguese territory. The Mandingo are considered intelligent, very aggressive, and well supplied with firearms) kou Tour d reportedly stated his willingness to furnish insurrectionists clandestinely with arms) ouc Guinea Lisbon will not readily abandon Portuguese because it w d fear the effect on other overseas provinces in India and Africa. Portuguese officials have shown growing apprehen- sion over the effect of the Africans' emancipation movement on Portugal's African holdings. Last October after French Guinea became independent the American consul general in Dakar re- ported that the Portuguese were "literally trembling" at the possible threat this posed to Portuguese Guinea. Lisbon has recently opened three new army installations in Portuguese Guinea although its armed strength there is onl about 1,200 African enlisted men led by Portuguese officers, Portuguese secu- rity authorities in mid-May suggested to the government the establishment of prison facilities in the Azores to house natives from the 'overseas African provinces who engage in subversive activitie9 SECRET 15 June 59 CFKITDAI IKITPI I irtrmrr RIII I PTIKI Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340 Page 4 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340 Nue Now' Agitation Against Communist Government in India's Kerala State The widespread agitation against the Communist regime in Kerala State, which the local Congress party and other opposi- tion groups opened with a general strike on 12 June, has re- sulted in continuing disturbances. Five persons were killed and 30 injured on 13 June when Communist-directed police opened fire on a large crowd in northern Kerala. Many opposition vol- unteers have been arrested following "nonviolent" demonstra- tions in the capital city of Trivandrum and other centers through- out the state. Further violence is likely when the intensive agitation planned by the Catholic and Hindu Nair communities against Communist education policies begins on 15 June. These groups have long planned an all-out effort to challenge the Communist government and apparently have been amassing weapons in anticipation of clashes with Communist security forces) Both government and opposition leaders had hoped to place ee responsibility for whatever violence occurred on the other. A group of top Kerala and all-India Communist party leaders re- portedly agreed at a meeting in Bombay on 7 June to avoid police firing during the first stages of the agitation, and resort to "in- tensive repression" only when it is clear such action is essential to prevent serious disorders,. Opposition strategists now are likely to exploit the police shooting on 13 June to incite further "direct action" against the Communists. Communist Chief Minister Namboodiripad has offered to � compromise with the opposition parties, and he invited Prime Minister Nehru to visit Kerala following Nehru's recent st te- ment that he would go there if it would help resolve the situation peacefully. Anti-Communist leaders, in Kerala are unlikely to ac- cept the compromise offer, since they hope that a serious break- down of law and order will either force the Communists to resign or cause New Delhi to suspend parliamentary government in the state and institute direct rule. If the Communist position deteri- orates drastically, party leaders may also conclude that direct President's Rule--with the onus for intervention on New Delhi-- is the best way out of an unfavorable situation. 1ECRET 15 June 59 ����� � �rrs AU IL 19-1-1 I i1-��=k1r4C MI II CTIkl Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340 Page 5 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340 JLA.:ALI III. THE WEST French-Yugoslav Relations Strained Over Algeria The quick protest Paris made to the joint communique is- sued in Belgrade on 12 June by representatives of Yugoslavia and of the Algerian rebels' provisional government (PAG) indi- cates that France intends to press strongly its official policy of discouraging other countries from recognizing the rebels. Paris seems to be acting on the basis that the Yugoslav-Alge- rian statement, which followed a visit to Belgrade by Ferhat Abbas, premier of the PAG, did not imply diplomatic recog- nition. The Paris press notes that the expression "representa- tives" for the Yugoslav signatories, may mean the Yugoslav Government need not be directly involved. Without formal acknowledgment of recognition by Belgrade, Premier Debrd may have decided to use this incident to reem- phasize the strong public position he and President de Gaulle have taken that relations will be cut with any nation which recog- nizes the rebels. Belgrade has consistently taken a sympathetic attitude toward the rebel goverpment� but so far has refrained from formal recognition. e French government warned Belgrade in April that such a m ve could automatically result in a severance of relations. In recent months, however, the Yugo- slays have given haven to wounded Algerian rebels and have attempted to interject themselves as intermediaries between the Algerian rebels and the De Gaulle government. Aside from the Algerian issue, relations between Paris and Belgrade have been good, and both sides have concrete reasons, mainly in trade and economic aid,for avoiding a break. Belgrade, however, made a strong official protest on 13 June concerning the detention for three hours the same day of a top Yugoslav trade union official, Misa Pavicevic, on his arrival at Paris airport to attend a French trade union congress. SECRET 15 June 59 lApproved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340 Page 6 Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340 Niue French Labor Unrest Increasing Premier Debrd has the authority and the means of enforcing his decision to force key transport workers to remain on their jobs during the 8-hour strike period proclaimed by all the major railroad unions for 16 June. He insists that wage increases now will ruin the economic stability that France is achieving as a re- sult of broad reforms instituted at the beginning of the year. Labor leaders are increasingly inclined to force his hand. Their bargaining power had been weakened in 1958 by fear of a recession as well as by the general desire to avoid complicating De Gaulle's task. The effect of reduced earnings and reduced purchasing power became apparent in March, however, when wide- spread local demonstrations and short work stoppages occurred during a "week of action" sponsored by the Christian Workers' Confederation. As the government's statements on improved financial con- ditions became more and more optimistic, labor restiveness increased. Workers in the nationalized transport services have been particularly irked because an agreement to bring their wages up to the levels of private industry has been held up for over a year. On 6 May, a 24-hour rail strike brought Parisian subur- ban traffic to a virtual standstill, and on 1 June a Paris subway strike halted rush-hour traffic. The Communist-led General Labor Confederation (COT) has avoided taking the initiative in these demonstrations, but it has joined agitation started by other labor groups. It can now cite a number of instances of unity of action and it will be increasingly difficult for the non-Communist labor leaders to justify their ef- forts to avoid formal collaboration, particularly if the government holds firm. Increased COT pressure can be expected, particularly since the French Communist party has been reduced to a handful of deputies in the National Assembly, and has no other legal means of pressing its influence. There are some signs of private management's willingness to adopt a more flexible wage policy, and the government has indicated that adjustments may be possible by the end of 1959. It seems likely, however, that some concessions beyond the minor family allowances just announced, will be necessary by fall. CONFIDENTIAL 15 June 59 rokrrn A i ikrre111^Ekle"ff DhIuIIkI Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340 Page 7 � Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340 oCit.A.C. Nine � New Period of Political Tension Developing in Guatemala A new period of political tension appears to be developing in Guatemala� June and July have traditionally been months of po- litical violence there, and this year the situation is complicated by the political maneuvering for the important mayoralty election in the capital on 5 July. In addition, Communists are preparing to instigate student-labor demonstrations on 25 June, the third anniversary of bloody student riots. They could get out of hand, particularly if accompanied by counterdemonstrations by rightists. The capricious President Ydigoras, though a skillful polit- ical manipulator, appears to be losing political strength. The economic situation is deteriorating and he may again attempt to distract attention from his domestic difficulties, by some move similar to his provocative attack on Mexican fishing boats last December, although this action and earlier threats against neigh- boring British Honduras only fleetingly served this purpose. Ydigoras apparent personal grudges against the United States and his failure to obtain additional economic assistance might lead him to attempt to exploit the latent anti-American feeling among many diverse groups in Guatemala. Ydigoras' efforts to control Communism have been half- hearted, and the Communists have refrained from attacking him in the realization that a successor regime might be less favor- able to their present interests. His efforts to curry favor with the increasingly strong non- Communist leftist groups reflect a growing conviction among many Guatemalans that the leftists will inevitably succeed to power in Guatemala. Extreme right- ists, alarmed at these trends and thoroughly disillusioned with Ydigoras, may in the coming months, be sufficiently encouraged by Ydigoras' declining strength to implement their long-standing desire to effect a coup. SECRET 15 June 59 rrkirr, A I 111.1.1.1 I � ���rak I Page 8 `Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340 AL Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340 THE PRESIDENT The Vice President Executive Offices of the White House Special Assistant for National Security Affairs Scientific Adviser to the President Director of the Budget Office of Defense and Civilian Mobilization Special Assistant for Security Operations Coordination Board of Consultants on Foreign Intelligence Activities Special Assistant for Foreign Economic Policy Executive Secretary, National Security Council The Treasury Department The Secretary of the Treasury The Department of State The Secretary of State The Under Secretary of State The Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs The Deputy Under Secretary for Political Affairs The Deputy Under Secretary for Administration The Counselor Director, International Cooperation Administration The Director of Intelligence and Research The Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense The Deputy Secretary of Defense Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs The Secretary of the Army The Secretary of the Navy The Secretary of the Air Force The Chairman, The Joint Chiefs of Staff Commandant, United States Marine Corps The Director, The Joint Staff Chief of Staff, United States Army Chief of Naval Operations, United States Navy Chief of Staff, United States Air Force Assistant to Secretary of Defense for Special Operations Director for Intelligence, The Joint Staff Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Department of the Army Director of Naval Intelligence, Department of the Navy Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Department of the Air Force Supreme Allied Commander, Europe Commander in Chief, Pacific The Department of the Interior The Secretary of the Interior The Department of Commerce The Secretary of Commerce Federal Bureau of Investigation The Director Atomic Energy Commission The Chairman National Security Agency The Director National Indications Center The Director United States Information Agency The Director rinWrIDPNTIAL Approved for Release: 2020/02/21 C03163340 /4'9 rzzzzzz Approved